How have we used GIS?

Learning aids for GIS

Arizona Geology Demonstration

Down this zip file and put it in a place where you can unzip it and work on it (can be your M drive; don't forget that you probably want to be using the SFTP software that we explained in Lecture 2 to move the files): GIS_DEMO.zip. Uncompress it and then double click on the icon. This should launch your ArcGIS session.
Video explanation:

Tour of ArcGIS and the difference between the components (ArcMap, ArcScene, ArcCatalogue, etc.)

Tour of ArcMap and its main components

Tour of data types in the example of Arizona GIS--Make sure you know the difference between RASTER and VECTOR data!!

RASTER=Matrix of identically sized square cells (called pixels) arranged in a grid of rows and columns. Each contains a measured or estimated value for that location.

Vector=Feature represented by a point, a line, or a polygon.

A GIS map contains layers

A layer may contain features or surfaces (Rasters)

Features have shape and size

Features have locations

Features can be displayed at different sizes

Features are linked to information: getting attributes from the different data types.

Features have spatial relationships (inside, outside, etc.).

Links

Opening and Using ArcGIS Software

Note: I will be giving out free student versions for those of you with Windows Laptops.
For those that do not, or that want to use ASU's software, you can use the ArcGIS on the machines in the lab and or the ArcGIS that is available on myapps.asu.edu.

You must be aware of the differences between ArcGIS 9.3 and 10. The ArcGIS 10 MXD files cannot be opened by 9.3 but the reverse is possible.